Despite playing with a patched-together offensive line and without their starting defensive ends, they showed why they are consistent winners in the NFL…heart.

They not only had to beat Oakland, they had to defeat the referees, as well.

Without pointing out all of the bad calls, of which there were plenty, several penalties cost the Steelers at least two more touchdowns, in what could have easily been a 50-point plus scoring day.

The Steelers were penalized for 163 yards, the most ever in their history. They had more yards in penalties than their opponents had in total offensive yards.

It is time for the league to tell the referees to stop trying to make their statement, or whatever it is they are trying to do to the Steelers.

The helmet-to-helmet call was a joke in which no fine should result, as it was obviously a bad call. How is it that other teams can do it to our receivers, but our defenders can not go anywhere near another player’s helmet without being flagged and fined?

The refs did not stop there. They called everything from helmet-to-helmet to chop blocking, with 90 percent of the calls going against Pittsburgh.

The roughing-the-passer call, taking away the interception returned for a touchdown, was also a questionable call that makes one really wonder what the refs are trying to prove.

It is getting a little ridiculous, and I can only hope that Mr. Rooney calls Commissioner Goodell and puts an end to it.